Dalnor/Campaign1/session-49
Bitchslapped by the Monsignor
Session Date: February 12,2011
"And you will know my name is THE LORD when I lay my vengance upon thee."Jules - Pulp Fiction
Last Harvest 2, 53
After considerable discussion, the party concludes that the bardic interpretation of their recent exploits to Norn
featuring Hemophelia and other insulting caricatures do not imply any serious threat to the party, but merely
a nuisance to be endured as the price of their rising fame and notoriety. It is suggested that Sir Baylon could be behind
the jibes, since he would have had access to certain referential pieces of knowledge, but it would be impossible to
trace back to its source.
The discussion turned to how to proceed while in town, with Safiria arguing to gather what supplies are necessary and then leave town again without checking in with *anyone*. Despite this, Crash, Lucius and Wynyarr went to visit the dwarves while Alex and Rhogar visit the Assassin's guild, and Safiria (ever the persona non-grata) goes to the local watering hole with Ayronn to wait for the others. Alex and Rhogar return first, and report that Alex's "Dad" would very much like the firestones GONE from the city as soon as possible. Safiria is momentarily dumbfounded that Alex told "Daddy" *everything* about the recent adventure, but then gets over it, realizing that she really should not have been surprised by this.
Crash casually lets it drop that we've (a) cleared out the fortress of smoke, (b) been to the shadowfell and (c) retrieved both remaining firestones. The dwarves are adamant that the "crazy" stone needs to get out of town PRONTO or they will find a way to make us go. Crash, not one to be hustled about, puts his foot down and enters into negotiations regarding the fate of the fortress, including its immediate securing and refitting for the birthplace of more warforged. The dwarves, clearly not used to being dealt with in this manner by one of their creations, blanch at the prospect of raising a new legion of warforged, or establishing their "civilization" as Crash wishes. Crash produces the "sane" firestone to take over the negotiaitons, and in the end, the dwarves were wishing they had simply capitulated to Crash's initial demands. The stone extracts substantial concessions and guarantees, forcing the dwarves to at-once assemble a squad to immediately secure the fortress and round up the corrupted dwarves likely still wandering around in the lower levels. Crash leaves the stone with them to make sure they hold up their part of the bargain!
Returning to the tavern to rejoin the others, Crash and Lucius are in time to hear a local bard belting out another sappy song featuring a caricature mentioned in the letter from Thorlok: Loseyeas, the lovelorn ranger who is forever lost and cannot be found. Over the span of several songs, it is clear the skewed songs of their exploits are quite popular and well travelled. A pair of local yokels, drunk beyond comprehension of mortal danger, approach Safiria and yell out while pointing: "Hemophilia!!". They then suggest her lovelorn existence can be at an end with their proposal of a three-way, and much to her credit, they are allowed to live to see another day. Rhogar steps forth before bloodshed can ensue, and the drunken bufoons yell "Hungarrr!!! My oh My we have the whole *hic* set!!". Bouncers descend and remove the drunk-tards while the party is left reeling with the realization that they are now very well known, and someone has been BUSY with their songcraft. Safiria suggests that Aryonn might need to step in with his own songsmithery and compose something more appropriate to their desired reputation.
A short stop here and there to gather supplies such as woundpatches and healing potions and a few other odds and ends, and the party departs Moremoon for the Castle of Smoke and Moon.
Last Harvest 3, 53
The party passes through the countryside unmolested by dragons, ghouls, undead zombie-messengers, or other harriers that have previously
slowed their progress. They rest overnight at the ranger outpost which they have frequented several times before. Night passes uneventfully.
Last Harvest 4, 53
Passing through the smoking ruins of _________, Ayronn is in awe of the destructive power unleashed on this hapless village, and his companions
(apparently temporary) triumph over the necromancer. The party camps near the gate to the Feywild.
Last Harvest 5, 53
Following the every changing path, the company passes through the gate into the Feywild and makes their way toward the Castle of Smoke and Moon.
In the distance, they see roving patrols, something not seen upon their previous visits. One of the patrols veers off and intercepts the group and demands
to know who they are and what is their purpose. Ayronn blurts out that we're here to see the Prince of Fall, and before he can finish his explanation, the
guards have shifted into an agressive posture to place everyone under arrest! Apparently anyone who asks to speak with the Prince of Fall is suspect, and likely
out to kill him!
We convince the leader of the guard squad to take a message to Lord Madross that Safiria and Company have returned and wish to speak with him. The party is taken into heavily armed custody and placed into a cell deep within the Castle of Smoke and Moon. A specially prepared cell. No magic, no apparent connection (divine or otherwise) to the outside world. An oubliette. Time passes. Lord Madross arrives and all are subjected to a special examination designed to reveal dopplegangers and other magical glamours. The party and everyone in the vicinity is found to be "clean" and is released into Lord Madross's custody. We return to his home in the Castle and once the eavesdropping countermeasures (a candleabra) are put into place, Safiria explains why they have returned to the Castle: to deliver a firestone retrieved from the depths of the smoke-infested fortress to the Prince of Fall! A mission given to Wynyarr by his superior in Moremoon as penance for his deception to a priest of Kord the *last time* we were in the Castle of Smoke and Moon!
Lord Madross tells the party that they can't meet with the Prince of Fall, even if they knew where he is. However, since this was a mission given by the Order of Kord, the Monsignor of the Order here in the Castle of Smoke and Moon must know about it, and would be able to deal with the situation and take delivery. The party agrees to meet with him, and a few hours later the Monsignor arrives. He is brusque to the point of rudeness, tells Safiria to sit down and then explains that he knows about Wynyarr's mission... and if Wynyarr did not complete the mission... then WHY are you HERE.
Ayronn pulls out the firestone and explains that while Wynyarr did not complete the mission on his own, he did play a supporting role... but he is interrupted as the Monsignor tells the *STONE* to STFU. Then tells the party what is what, and looks at Wynyarr and says simply: "I am disappoint.". He takes custody of the stone and implies that in return for our services, he will clear up the misunderstanding with the guards and grant us leave to depart the Castle and leave the Feywild. "Best offer you're going to get all day. Now, you may feel a slight sting..... That's pride fucking with you. Fuck pride. Pride only hurts, it never helps. You fight past that shit. Bitches don't let the doorknob hit you on the way out." (Use your best Marsalles Wallace voice when getting the flavor of that). The Monsignor departs, leaving the party sitting here, still shock-and-awed over what just happened.
A note is delivered to Safiria by one of the servants from someone who has come to inquire about a job. His prior position: Chamberlain!
Crash presents the chamberlain. The chamberlain has one of those good news bad news propositions: the outer walls of the city are going to be attacked. It is a distraction so a strike team can infiltrate a high security vault in the back of the city. It is going to happen in twenty minutes. Hop to it.
Previously: Nut up or Shut UP
Continued in: NA
Campaign 1 Index
